Research In Action

Many providers may find it challenging to stay abreast of the latest policy changes in order to best serve their patient families, particularly around issues related to violence prevention, such as intimate partner violence (IPV) or firearms. In addition, not all pediatric health systems routinely screen for IPV or guns in the home, and even for those that do, there can be a lack of awareness among providers of the resources available to protect families in crisis.

In late 2018, Governor Wolf signed Act 79 into Pennsylvania law, mandating that those convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, also known as IPV, or subject to final protection orders surrender their guns within 24 hours. This law also mandates that defendants surrender their firearms to specific authorities, rather than turn guns over to family members or friends.

PA Act 79 has the ability to positively impact families in crisis, and providers have a unique opportunity to inform their patient families about this newly enacted law. Given the intersection of domestic violence, guns, and child abuse, it's critical that providers understand the importance of screening for these issues and how to address a positive screen.

On January 15, 2020, the Center for Violence Prevention (CVP) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) hosted a webinar titled "Domestic Violence, Guns, and Children: Putting Policies Into Action" that provided education on the current policy landscape related to domestic violence and guns in the home, specifically focusing on Pennsylvania’s Act 79 and empowerment for healthcare providers to support patient families who may be in crisis.

View the full webinar, download a PDF of the slides, and access relevant local and national resources here.